Should the Calder Trophy go to whoever gets more points?

It really is clear, barring a complete implosion, that the race for the Calder is between Ovechkin and Crosby. Both are already great players in what they bring to the game. I think it will come down to who gets more points in deciding and I think that's a valid tie breaker in this case.

Really the only way Sid gets the Calder is if he scores more points than Ovie. Really I think the only way he gets it is if he scores more goals as well.

Many people will say that Ovie is a one man show on the Caps (which is true) and that he won't get as many assists because there aren't any other goal scorers on his team where as in Pittsburgh he has played with LeClair, Lemieux, Recchi, Pallfy, etc.

can I just say, Dion Phaneuf is one of the most impressive defensive prospects in the NHL in a long time. He has stepped right into the pressure cooker and been a top defensive player. You don't see that often from good defensemen.

Sam's Drunk Dog wrote:Really the only way Sid gets the Calder is if he scores more points than Ovie. Really I think the only way he gets it is if he scores more goals as well.

Many people will say that Ovie is a one man show on the Caps (which is true) and that he won't get as many assists because there aren't any other goal scorers on his team where as in Pittsburgh he has played with LeClair, Lemieux, Recchi, Pallfy, etc.

I dont think that Crosby playing with Lemeiux, ect. will have any impact in the voting. Yeah they were on his team for a while, but its not like our team was tearing it up with them in the lineup. We are about to finish last, so its obvious Crosby's teammates, no matter who they are, were not a opionion-changing influence.

Sam's Drunk Dog wrote:Really the only way Sid gets the Calder is if he scores more points than Ovie. Really I think the only way he gets it is if he scores more goals as well.

Many people will say that Ovie is a one man show on the Caps (which is true) and that he won't get as many assists because there aren't any other goal scorers on his team where as in Pittsburgh he has played with LeClair, Lemieux, Recchi, Pallfy, etc.

I dont think that Crosby playing with Lemeiux, ect. will have any impact in the voting. Yeah they were on his team for a while, but its not like our team was tearing it up with them in the lineup. We are about to finish last, so its obvious Crosby's teammates, no matter who they are, were not a opionion-changing influence.

I don't necessarily agree with this but it is the arguement that will be made and is true to a certain extent.

netwolf wrote:A lot of people will flip out if Ovechkin wins over Crosby regardless.

The Calder should go to the best rookie, not the best rookie scorer. If that was the only criteria, goalies and defensemen would never win it.

I think it's pretty unfair that Svatos, Phaneuf, and Lundqvist are barely being mentioned. Especially Lundqvist. The guy is in the perfect situation to totally drag a playoff team into the gutter, and he's actually making them better. Ovechkin has totally stolen the show, of course, but Lundqvist should at least be mentioned in the same breath as he and Crosby.

In any other year, any of those three would be the front runner. I forget who said it but the whole "life's not fair, get a helmet" line of thinking applies.

Besides, it's one trophy. I'm sure none of them are worried about being overlooked. Each guy is well appreciated by their local fans and by anyone who really follows the league. Those guys are not being overlooked be the astute fans of the NHL like you and me.

I believe that the best overall player, whether that is a forward, dman, or goalie, should be the winner of the Calder. Crosby appears to me that he is the better "team" player. As you can see by his stats and his linemates stats, he seems the better rookie. Ovechkin, yes he is also a great player, but it appears to me that he is the whole team. He really isn't making anybody that much better, because everybody passes him the puck. Crosby on the other hand, is a playmaker. This is just my opinion, but both of these guys will be competing for the Art Ross and the Hart Memorial Trophies for years to come.

It's a two-man race between Sid and Oven-chicken, but the points totals would overlook the likes of Dion Phaneuf or Henrik Lundquist. I don't think either of them could touch the top two, but you have to include them in the conversation.